1998 HONDA PRELUDE service

1998 Prelude Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.

Contents
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
......................................3
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
.........................................49
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... 91
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................119
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
......................................................................131
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................159
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .219
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................227
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................251
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................265
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................271
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
.............................................................................. I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Accord Value Package Audio System Owner's Identification Form

ProCarManuals.com

Driver and Passenger Safety
This section gives you important information about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It shows you how to use seat belts
properly. It explains your Supple- mental Restraint System. And it tells
you how to properly restrain infants and children in your vehicle.
Important Safety Precautions .......... 4
Your Vehicle's Safety Features........ 5 Seat Belts........................................ 6
Airbags............................................ 7

Seats & Seat-Backs........................ 8

Head Restraints............................. 8

Door Locks..................................... 9

Pre-Drive Safety Checklist........... 9

Protecting Adults............................. 10
1. Close and Lock the Doors...... 10
2. Adjust the Front Seats............ 11 3. Adjust the Seat-Backs............. 12
4. Adjust the Head Restraints.... 13 5. Fasten and Position the Seat
Belts...................................... 14

6. Adjust the Steering Wheel..... 15
7. Maintain a Proper Sitting
Position................................. 16

Advice for Pregnant Women...... 17 Additional Safety Precautions.... 17

Protecting Children.........................
19

All Children
Must Be

Restrained................................ 19

Children Should Sit in the Back
Seat............................................20

The Passenger's Airbag Poses
Serious Risks to Children....... 20
If You Must Drive with Several

Children.................................... 21
If a Child Requires Close

Attention................................... 22

Additional Safety Precaution...... 22 General Guidelines for Using
Child Seats................................ 23

Protecting Infants........................ 27

Protecting Small Children .......... 31
Protecting Larger Children........ 35
Using Child Seats with
Tethers......................................38

Additional Information About Your
Seat Belts.................................. 40

Seat Belt System Components... 40
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 40 Seat Belt Maintenance................ 42
Additional Information About Your
SRS............................................

43

SRS Components........................ .
43

How Your Airbags Work............ 43

How Your SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................45

SRS Service................................... 45
Additional Safety Precautions.... 46
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 47
Safety Labels.................................... 48

Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Additional Information About Your SRS

How Your SRS Indicator Light
Works The purpose of the SRSindicator light is to alert
you to a potential problem with your Supplemental Restraint System.
When you turn the ignition ON (II), this indicator will light up briefly
then go out. This tells you that the system is working properly.
However, if the light comes on at any other time, you should have your
system checked by your dealer. For

example:
If the SRS indicator light does not
come on after you turn the ignition
ON (II). If the light stays on after the

engine starts.
If the light comes on or flashes on

and off while you drive.

If you see any of these indications,
your airbags may not deploy when

you need them. See your Honda
dealer as soon as possible.
SRS Service

Your Supplemental Restraint System is virtually maintenance-free, and
there are no parts you can safely service. However, you must have
your vehicle serviced if:

Your airbags ever inflate. The

airbags and the control unit must
be replaced. Do not try to remove or replace the airbags yourself.
This must be done by a Honda dealer or a knowledgeable body

shop.
The SRS indicator light alerts you

to a problem. Take your vehicle to
an authorized Honda dealer as soon as possible. If you ignore this
indication, the airbags might not
inflate when you need them.
Driver and Passenger Safety

Ignoring the SRS indicator light
can result in serious injury or
death if the airbags do not inflate when needed.
Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS light alerts you to a potential problem.
SRS
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Before Driving

Before you begin driving your Honda,
you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of
important fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage or packages. The information in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your vehicle,
please read the information in this section first. Break-in Period.............................. 120
Gasoline.......................................... 120
Service Station Procedures .......... 121 Filling the Fuel Tank................. 121
Opening the Hood..................... 122 Oil Check................................ 123
Engine Coolant Check.......... 124
Fuel Economy................................ 125
Vehicle Condition...................... 125Driving Habits............................ 125
Accessories and Modifications.... 126 Accessories................................. 126
Modifications............................. 127
Additional Safety Precaution.... 127
Carrying Cargo.............................. 128 Load Limit.................................. 129Carrying Items in the Passenger Compartment......................... 129
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or on a Roof Rack....................... 130

Before DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Break-in Period, Gasoline

Break-in Period

Help assure your vehicle's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period: Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid

acceleration.

Avoid hard braking. New brakes need to be broken-in by moderate
use for the first 200 miles (300

km).

You should follow these same re- commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Gasoline

Your Honda is designed to operate on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
If you are unable to find premium
unleaded gasoline, you may substi-
tute an unleaded regular gasoline.
The engine will compensate for the lower octane, but you may notice aslight decrease in power as a result.
We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent
fuel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead willdamage your vehicle's emission
controls. This contributes to air
pollution. In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system performance may deteriorate and
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on. If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer for service.

Before DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Service Station Procedures
Filling the Fuel Tank
1. Because the fuel fill cap is on the driver's side of the vehicle, park
with that side closest to the service station pumps.
2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling on the handle to the left of the
driver's seat. 3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound aspressure inside the tank escapes.Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel pump automatically clicks off. Do
not try to "top off" the tank, leavesome room for the fuel to expand
with temperature changes.
5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on, tighten it until it clicks. If you donot properly tighten the cap, the
Malfunction Indicator Lamp may
come on (see page 242).
6. Push the fuel fill door closed until it latches.

Before Driving

Pull
FUEL FILL CAP
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.

Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Service Station Procedures

Opening the Hood
1. Shift to Park or Neutral and set the parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly. 2. Standing in front of the vehicle,
put your fingers under the frontedge of the hood to the right of
center. Slide your hand to the left
until you feel the hood latch
handle. Push this handle to the left
until it releases the hood. Lift the

hood.
3. Pull the support rod out of its clip
and insert the end into the hole on
the left side of the hood.
To close the hood, lift it up slightly to remove the support rod from the
hole. Put the support rod back into its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a foot (30 cm) above the
fender, then let it drop.
After closing the hood, make sure it is securely latched.
Before Driving HOOD RELEASE HANDLE

LATCHCLIP SUPPORT RODProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Service Station Procedures

Oil Check
Check the engine oil level every time
you fill the vehicle with fuel. Wait a
few minutes after turning the engine off before you check the oil.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange handle). 2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel. 3. Insert it all the way back in its tube.

CONTINUED
Before Driving

DIPSTICKProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t